According to a new report by The Information, Apple has created two prototypes of clamshell-style foldable iPhones. However, the development of these foldable devices is still in its early stages. If Apple decides to proceed with the production of foldable iPhones, they are not expected to be available until at least 2026, seven years after Samsung debuted its Galaxy Fold.
There are two main challenges that Apple faces in creating foldable iPhones. Firstly, the technical issues surrounding foldable smartphones have not been fully resolved by Apple’s engineers. The first Samsung Fold, for instance, had a gap between the two halves of the screen, allowing debris to enter. Secondly, Apple’s designers are finding it difficult to incorporate features that would make a foldable iPhone compelling enough for consumers, especially considering the higher prices of foldable devices compared to traditional smartphones.
From the looks of it, it appears that Apple’s first foldable device may be an iPad, which carries less risk for the company compared to making a foldable version of its highly popular iPhone. Engineers are working on resolving challenges such as the crease that occurs in the center of the display after repeated folds and ensuring a flat screen with no bumps.
Samsung took several years to develop a hinge that eliminated the gap between the two halves of its foldable devices. But despite being the first one to take the foldable game seriously, the South Korean giant’s Galaxy Z Fold5 has been outdone by the recently released HONOR Magic V2 and OPPO Find N3.